Lower leg sleeve

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a lower leg sleeve formed from a tubular upper portion adapted to fit over at least a portion of the shin area of a user and a separate tubular lower portion connected to the tubular upper portion. The tubular lower portion is positioned closer to the ankle of a user than the tubular upper portion when the tubular upper portion is fitted over at least a portion of the shin area of a user. The tubular lower portion is resilient. The lower leg sleeve has particular application in participation sports, such as the game of soccer, where it is used both for it utility and aesthetic qualities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to athletic wear, and in particularathletic wear for the lower leg.

Whether referred to as football or soccer (“soccer” herein), the game ofsoccer is the most popular team sport in the world. By some estimatessoccer is played by 250 million players in over 200 countries. It isalso enjoyed by approximately 3.3-3.5 billion fans worldwide.

During gameplay, players of each team are typically mandated by theirleague's governing body to wear conforming uniforms or “kits.” Thesekits include the shirts, shorts, socks, and sometimes even shoes. Thisensures that players and referees easily distinguish one team from theother. Virtually all other sports, including field hockey, ice hockey,and more, have similar requirements.

Notwithstanding, it has been found that soccer players, as well as othersport players, seek means for increased comfort and functionality thancan otherwise be obtained by the league mandated kits. These playersalso seek to express their aesthetic individuality even among theexacting regulations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In particular, it has been found that many soccer players find theirteam mandated socks to be lacking in comfort, functionality, andaesthetics.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there is provided alower leg sleeve having a tubular upper portion adapted to fit over atleast a portion of the shin area of a user and a separate resilienttabular lower portion connected to the tabular upper portion, thetubular lower portion being positioned closer to the ankle of a userthan the tubular upper portion when the tabular upper portion is fittedover at least a portion of the shin area of a user.

Where there is provided a lower leg sleeve having a tubular upperportion adapted to fit over at least a portion of the shin area of auser and a separate resilient tubular lower portion connected to thetubular upper portion, the tabular lower portion being positioned closerto the ankle of a user than the tubular upper portion when the tubularupper portion is fitted over at least a portion of the shin area of auser, the tubular upper portion may be less resilient than the tubularlower portion.

Where there is provided a lower leg sleeve having a tubular upperportion adapted to fit over at least a portion of the shin area of auser and a separate resilient tubular lower portion connected to thetubular upper portion, the tubular lower portion being positioned closerto the ankle of a user than the tubular upper portion when the tubularupper portion is fitted over at least a portion of the shin area of auser, the tubular lower portion may have a height of betweenapproximately 2 inches and 4 inches.

Where there is provided a lower leg sleeve having a tubular upperportion adapted to fit over at least a portion of the shin area of auser and a separate resilient tubular lower portion connected to thetubular upper portion, the tubular lower portion being positioned closerto the ankle of a user than the tubular upper portion when the tubularupper portion is fitted over at least a portion of the shin area of auser, the tubular upper portion and the tubular lower portion may beformed from different materials. The tubular lower portion may be formedfrom a nylon with elastic fiber composite or polyester/nylon blend withelastic fiber. The tubular upper portion may be formed from a syntheticblend. The tubular upper portion may be formed from a cotton blend.

Where there is provided a lower leg sleeve having a tubular upperportion adapted to fit over at least a portion of the shin area of auser and a separate resilient tubular lower portion connected to thetubular upper portion, the tubular lower portion being positioned closerto the ankle of a user than the tubular upper portion when the tubularupper portion is fitted over at least a portion of the shin area of auser, the lower leg sleeve may match a league mandated team color.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provideda method of donning sports attire, including donning a performance sockand donning a lower leg sleeve, where the lower leg sleeve includes afirst portion and a separate resilient sleeve member connected thereto,the resilient sleeve member being adapted to hold the lower leg sleevein place when worn.

Where there is provided a method of donning sports attire, includingdonning a performance sock and donning a lower leg sleeve, where thelower leg sleeve includes a first portion and a separate resilientsleeve member connected thereto, the resilient sleeve member beingadapted to hold the lower leg sleeve in place when worn, the method mayfurther include donning a protective shin guard, wherein the resilientsleeve member prevents the protective shin guard from moving downwardtoward the ankle of a user.

Where there is provided a method of donning sports attire, includingdonning a performance sock and donning a lower leg sleeve, where thelower leg sleeve includes a first portion and a separate resilientsleeve member connected thereto, the resilient sleeve member beingadapted to hold the lower leg sleeve in place when worn, the resilientsleeve member of the lower leg sleeve may cover at least a portion ofthe performance sock.

Where there is provided a method of donning sports attire, includingdonning a performance sock and donning a lower leg sleeve, where thelower leg sleeve includes a first portion and a separate resilientsleeve member connected thereto, the resilient sleeve member beingadapted to hold the lower leg sleeve in place when worn, the firstportion and the resilient sleeve member of the lower leg sleeve may beformed from different materials. In such case, the resilient sleevemember of the lower leg sleeve may be more resilient than the firstportion of the lower leg sleeve.

Where there is provided a method of donning sports attire, includingdonning a performance sock and donning a lower leg sleeve, where thelower leg sleeve includes a first portion and a separate resilientsleeve member connected thereto, the resilient sleeve member beingadapted to hold the lower leg sleeve in place when worn, the firstportion of the lower leg sleeve may match a league mandated color.

Where there is provided a method of donning sports attire, includingdonning a performance sock and donning a lower leg sleeve, where thelower leg sleeve includes a first portion and a separate resilientsleeve member connected thereto, the resilient sleeve member beingadapted to hold the lower leg sleeve in place when worn, the resilientsleeve member of the lower leg sleeve may not match a league mandatedcolor.

Where there is provided a method of donning sports attire, includingdonning a performance sock and donning a lower leg sleeve, where thelower leg sleeve includes a first portion and a separate resilientsleeve member connected thereto, the resilient sleeve member beingadapted to hold the lower leg sleeve in place when worn, the method mayfurther include playing soccer.

Where there is provided a method of donning sports attire, includingdonning a performance sock and donning a lower leg sleeve, where thelower leg sleeve includes a first portion and a separate resilientsleeve member connected thereto, the resilient sleeve member beingadapted to hold the lower leg sleeve in place when worn, the method mayfurther include choosing a performance sock based on specificcharacteristics preferred by the user.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided akit of athletic attire, the kit including a shirt, a pair of shorts, anda pair of lower leg sleeves. Each lower leg sleeve is formed from atubular upper portion adapted to fit over at least a portion of the shinarea of a user and a separate resilient tubular lower portion connectedto the tubular upper portion, the tubular lower portion adapted to bepositioned closer to the ankle of a user than the tubular upper portionwhen the tubular upper portion is fitted over at least a portion of theshin area of a user.

Where a kit of athletic attire is provided, and the kit includes ashirt, a pair of shorts, and a pair of lower leg sleeves, with eachlower leg sleeve being formed form, a tubular upper portion adapted tofit over at least a portion of the shin area of a user and a separateresilient tubular lower portion connected to the tubular upper portion,the tubular lower portion adapted to be positioned closer to the ankleof a user than the tubular upper portion when the tubular upper portionis fitted over at least a portion of the shin area of a user, theseparate resilient tubular lower leg portion of the lower leg sleeve maybe adapted to prevent the lower leg sleeve from, sliding up and down theleg of a user during athletic play.

Where a kit of athletic attire is provided, and the kit includes ashirt, a pair of shorts, and a pair of lower leg sleeves, with eachlower leg sleeve being formed form a tubular upper portion adapted tofit over at least a portion of the shin area of a user and a separateresilient tubular lower portion connected to the tubular upper portion,the tubular lower portion adapted to be positioned closer to the ankleof a user than the tubular upper portion when the tubular upper portionis fitted over at least a portion of the shin area of a user, the lowerleg sleeves may match the colors of a league mandated sock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

With respect to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of aconventional sock;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the lower leg area of a soccerplayer wearing a conventional kit;

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the lower leg area of a soccerplayer wearing another conventional kit;

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a lower leg sleeve in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the lower leg area of a soccerplayer wearing the lower leg sleeve of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 depicts a first step in a method of forming a lower leg sleeve inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 depicts a second step in the method of forming a lower leg sleevebegun at FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 depicts a third step in the method of forming a lower leg sleevebegun at FIG. 6, continued at FIG. 7, and ending with FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following are described the preferred embodiments of the LOWERLEG SLEEVE of the present invention. In describing the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be used for thesake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited tothe specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that eachspecific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in asimilar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. Where like elements havebeen depicted in multiple embodiments, identical reference numerals havebeen used in the multiple embodiments for ease of understanding.

As discussed above, during gameplay in various sports leagues, and inparticular soccer leagues, players of each team are typically mandatedby their league's governing body to wear conforming kits, inclusive ofshirts, shorts, socks, and sometimes even shoes. Despite this mandate,players seek means for increased comfort and functionality than canotherwise be obtained by the standard kits. These players also seek toexpress their aesthetic individuality even among the exactingregulations.

Before addressing how this is achieved, it will be appreciated that FIG.1 depicts a perspective view of a conventional sock as may be used in asports league. The sock 100 includes a lower foot portion 102 and anupper shin portion 104. Formed at the meeting of the upper shin portion104 and the lower foot portion 102 is an ankle portion 106.

The distal end 108 of the upper shin portion 104 may include ribbing 110as shown in FIG. 1. Here, the ribbing 110 at the upper shin portion 104is “folded over” in the conventional manner. Similarly, ribbing 112 mayalso be used in the area formed at adjacent portions of the upper shinportion 104 and the ankle portion 106. The ribbing 110, 112 may beaesthetic while also helping to fittingly shape the sock around thelower leg of the player. Ribbing may also be provided in other areas ofthe sock 100.

Conventionally, such a sock 100 may be formed from natural materialssuch as cotton or performance synthetics such as polyester or spandex.It is also known that socks may be formed from various blends of thesematerials.

It will be appreciated that in general, cotton socks provide warmthwhile synthetic socks are preferred for their moisture management andstretch qualities. It will also be appreciated that socks, regardless ofthe materials used, may be made in differing thicknesses. In addition tothese characteristics, certain conventional socks may also includepadded lower foot portions and/or arch supports (not shown).

For players that seek their highest performance potential and greatestcomfort, there is no one-type-fits-all sock that every player on a teamcan agree on. Moreover, even a single player may prefer differentmaterials, thicknesses, or other features depending on the playingconditions or their physical condition at the time of play. For exampleplayers may prefer a thicker predominantly cotton sock when temperaturesare high or a padded lower foot portion when the field surface is hardor they are nursing an injury. Still others prefer a more heavily paddedfoot bed portion with a thinner portion in the lace area of their shoe.This arrangement maximizes that player's feel of the soccer ball whilealso providing shock absorption while running over the ground. Endlessother permutations may be imagined.

It is therefore known that various sports players will use a second,individually preferred pair of socks, directly over their foot whilecutting off the foot portion 102 of the team issued sock such that itonly covers their shin area. An example of this is shown in FIG. 2depicting a perspective view of the lower leg area of a soccer playerwearing a conventional kit. Here, the sock 100 (of FIG. 1) has been cutto form cut sock 100′, the cut being in the ribbed area 112′. The cutsock 100′ is shown fitted over both a performance sock 200 and aprotective shin guard 300, as it would be conventionally worn.

It will be appreciated that the performance sock 200 may be configuredto any preferred arrangement of a particular player. This includes notonly thickness and material considerations, but also aesthetic colorchoices. Thus a player may make a personalized fashion statement withhis or her choice of performance sock 200. All the while the playerremains in conformance with the rules by also wearing the upper shinportion 104′ of the league mandated sock 100.

While this arrangement is used often, it is not ideal. For one, when aplayer runs up and down the field, the out sock 100′ may begin to rideup and down the shin area of the player. Moreover, if a player performsa sliding maneuver such as a slide tackle, the proximal portion 114′ ofthe cut sock 100′ will roll up toward the knee. In view of these issues,players have begun taping the proximal portion 114′ as shown in FIG. 3,a perspective view of the lower leg area of a soccer player wearinganother conventional kit.

The tape 116″ used to cover the proximal portion 114″ of the cut sock100″ (shown in FIG. 3) is typically athletic tape as used by teammedical trainers or other sport specific tape. While this method helpsto prevent the cut sock 100″ from riding up and down and also helps toprevent the proximal end 114″ of the sock from rolling up, the use oftape 116″ is not completely satisfactory.

For one, the tape 116″ is not flexible and forgiving and instead tendsto irritate the lower leg of a player, particularly in latter portionsof a game and/or where the tape has been applied tightly. If, on theother hand, the tape 116 is applied too loosely, or more forgiving tapeis used, the tape may unravel over time or be less than effective duringsliding maneuvers. Moreover, wet conditions such as rain may cause thetape 116″ to unravel over the course of a match.

In accordance with the present invention there are provided lower legsleeves which solve the aforementioned deficiencies. The lower legsleeves, of which FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of an exemplaryembodiment, cure these deficiencies by providing an elegant all in onesolution.

As shown in FIG. 4, and in accordance with a particular embodiment ofthe present invention, a lower leg sleeve 400 includes a tubular upperportion 402 and a tubular lower portion 404. The upper portion 402 maybe formed in a variety of manners.

In one manner, the upper portion 402 is simply a league mandated sock,such as sock 100, with the foot portion 102 cut off. This is, forexample, similar to the cut sock 100′ shown in FIG. 2. Unlike theexample of FIG. 2 where the cut sock 100′ is worn in that condition,attached to the extreme proximal end 406 of the upper portion 402 is aresilient sleeve 408 forming the entirety of the lower portion 404. Inthis regard, the resilient sleeve 408 fits snugly against the upperankle/lower shin area of a player to hold the sock 400 in place. It willbe appreciated that the attachment may be by various means, particularlyby sewing. Although this permanently alters the league mandated sock,this manner of construction, and color matching, may be appropriate forretrofitting such socks by individual players.

In another manner, and one that would be more appropriate for massproduction, the upper portion 402 of the lower leg sleeve 400 is massproduced as a replica of typical league mandated socks, or is marketedand sold as a league mandated sock in its own right. As such, the lowerleg sleeve 400 is sold complete with its upper portion 402 and resilientsleeve 408 already attached thereto.

The resilient sleeve 408 may be formed from a variety of materials solong as they perform the required function of resiliency. Examples ofsuch materials are nylon with elastic fiber (e.g. spandex, elasthane,Lycra, etc.) composites or polyester elastic fiber. The fabrics formedfrom such materials are often referred to as spandex knitted fabrics. Inthis regard, the resiliency should be sufficient to hold the lower legsleeve 400 in the correct position during the course of a typicalathletic event, even following multiple sliding events. While the upperportion 402 of the lower leg sleeve 400 may also be resilient,preferably the resilient sleeve 408 is more resilient, and thereforetighter fitting, than a traditional sock material would be.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the lower leg area of a soccerplayer wearing the lower leg sleeve 400 of FIG. 4. Here, one can readilysee that the player has first donned his or her protective shin guard300 and performance sock 200 in the manner and order of their choosing.In this regard, the performance sock 200 may be of virtually anyconventional length, including low-, mid-, or high-rise socks, as may bepreferred by the individual. In the case of a mid- or high-rise sock, itis conventional to don the protective shin guard first.

In any event, once those two items are in place, the player may thenpull the lower leg sleeve 400 over the pair, fitting the distal end 410closest to the knee and the proximal end 406, inclusive of the resilientsleeve 408, adjacent to the ankle.

Thus, the player may gain all the benefits of his or her preferredperformance sock 200 while maintaining compliance with league mandatedrules in terms of the outer covering of the player's shin area.Moreover, the player may express his or her personal aesthetics by thechoice of performance sock colors, patterns, or both.

One manner of forming the resilient sleeve 408 for ultimate joining tothe tubular upper portion 402 of the lower leg sleeve 400 is shown inFIGS. 6 through 8. Here, a single swatch 500 of a chosen resilientknitted fabric, for example a nylon with spandex composite fabric(spandex knitted fabric), is provided. The swatch 500 can be ofindefinite size and will therefore be cut along a first cut line 502 anda second cut line 504 to form a rectangular swatch 506 of a desiredsize.

Preferably, the rectangular swatch 506 has a height “H” in the range of2 inch to 8 inches, with approximately 4 inches to 6 inches beingpreferred. The swatch also has a length in the range of 5 inches to 11inches, with 6 to 8½ inches being preferred. For a youth leg sleeve, thepreferred combinations of height H and length L include 4 inches by 6inches, 6 inches by 6 inches, 8 inches by 6 inches, 4 inches by 8inches, 6 inches by 8 inches, and 8 inches by 8 inches. It is to beunderstood that any other combination of sizes between approximately 2inches and 8 inches in height and 5 inches to 11 inches in length are tobe included in this disclosure, including fractional inches within thoseranges.

As shown in FIG. 7, the rectangular swatch 506 is folded over along itslength to form a folded swatch 510 having two upstanding sides 512, 514of approximately equal height with ends 516, 513. Note that the overallheight of the folded swatch 506 is therefore approximately half ofheight H of the original swatch. Once in this configuration, and asshown in FIG. 8, the folded swatch 510 may be looped with the ends 516,518 moved together to form a tubular structure. The ends 516, 518 arethen joined together, by sewing (or other means), preferably with a flatmarrowing stitch 520, to form resilient sleeve 408.

Referring back to FIG. 4, it will be appreciated that the upper extreme522 of the resilient sleeve 408 is then sewn (or otherwise attached) tothe extreme proximal end 406 of the upper portion 402 to form thefinished lower leg sleeve 400. This stitch is also preferably a flatmarrowing stitch.

The resilient sleeve 408 may differ in aesthetic appearance from theremainder of the lower leg sleeve 400. Specifically, the two elementsmay be different colors or patterns. For example, the tubular upperportion 402 may be predominantly white while the resilient sleeve 408 isa single other color or a plurality of colors. In this regard, the lowerleg sleeve 400 may not match a league mandated sock, but rather may beconfigured to whatever color and pattern combinations a designer mayenvision. Such could be appealing to players for use while practicing,where specific color requirements are often not an issue.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerousmodifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that otherarrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention.

1.-8. (canceled)
 9. A method of donning sports attire comprising:donning a performance sock; donning a lower leg sleeve, the lower legsleeve including a continuous uninterrupted tubular resilient upperportion adapted to cover the shin of a user and a more resilient sleeveportion adapted for positioning below the upper portion, adjacent theankle of user; donning a protective shin guard by placing the protectiveshin guard beneath the continuous tubular upper portion of the lower legsleeve, wherein the more resilient sleeve portion of the lower legsleeve is configured to prevent the protective shin guard from movingdownward toward the ankle of a user.
 10. (canceled)
 11. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the more resilient sleeve portion of the lower legsleeve covers at least a portion of the performance sock.
 12. The methodof claim 9, wherein the upper portion and the more resilient sleeveportion of the lower leg sleeve are formed from different materials.13.-15. (canceled)
 16. The method of claim 9, further comprising playingsoccer. 17.-23. (canceled)